Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.

Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.

Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

Disability Income Insurance: Individual: 101

Summary

In Sum: An individual long term disability income insurance policy can be difficult to obtain post diagnosis. As a general matter, individual disability insurance policies are not available to people who have had any medical treatment during the past 7 - 10 years for a potentially disabling medical condition. To learn what may be available in your state, contact an experienced insurance broker. You do not have to disclose your name. The broker can find what is available for an anonymous client with your medical history. Or contact insurers directly. A list of providers is available at: http://yourincomeatrisk.org, a website of America's Health Insurance Plans, a national asociation of the insurance industry.

Ideally, look for a policy that is at least Guaranteed Renewable/Noncancellable, has a benefit that equals the difference between your projected income and expenses on disability, and provides coverage for your "own occupation."

Once you have a policy, do what is necessary to maintain it. The income can be critical in the event you are no longer able to work.

Whether benefits are taxable depends on whether the policy is paid for with pre-tax or after tax dollars.

When you apply for an individual policy, you are likely to be requested to take a medical exam in addition to supplying a completed application and medical records. (For additional informabout about what to expect when you apply for a policy, click here.)